Shadow of a Horned God

Marcus Verus

Marcus Verus, the Second Son of Mithras, is an ElderWarlordScion, currently holding the position of Prince in the city of Glevum. He is known for his fierce temper, martial prowess and leader quality, along with his fanatical loyalty to his sire. He is the driving force behind the group called Mithras Heirs as well as a staunch believer in the Cult of Mithras.

Marcus Verus was born a commoner on the Italian peninsula, in the early 2nd century. He always enjoyed hard labor and physical work above all else in his youth. At the age of 16, he joined a reserve legion, which was training to provide reinforcements to other units. He was sent to Britannia at the age of 20, where he joined the “XX Valeria Victrix” based in the fortress city of Deva Victrix. At the age of 30, after years of fighting the barbarian savages in the north, and promoted to various leader roles in the process, he was approached by the Cult of Mithras, always on the lookout for new talents. He rose quicker in the ranks of the cult than anyone before him, and showed a strong belief in the cults teachings.

At the age of 35, he acquired the rank of Leo, and received the gift of Vitae from his superior in the cult, Caius Tadius Lupus and served as his Ghoul for several years, continuing his rise through the cult. At the age of 42, he acquired the highest rank and was approached by the Living God himself who brought him into the night.

Verus quickly adapted to the physical aspects of his new state, and took to the field as Mithras’ Warmaster. He became known as a short-tempered warmonger, always quick to bring potential threats to his sword-tip. This rash behavior often caused more problems than solutions, however, and Mithras was forced to officially discipline his young childe several times. Time passed and Verus didn’t make many friends. He had a special dislike towards his elder “brother” Lucius Varro and the politicians of the south, instead preferring the northern cities of Lindum Colonia and Eboracum, where he settled periodically. He fraternized with like-minded cainites such as his older mentor Lupus, and the Zealot warrior Cornelius.

During the last century of decline in the Roman Empire, when Mithras was growing cold and detached, Verus was kept busy with minor rebellions and barbarian uprisings throughout the island. He was in Eboracum when the legions departed in AD 407, and only managed to secure a smaller force consisting of loyal cult members. He participated in the effort of securing the loyalty of Mithras’ vassals that same year, a task which brought him back to Deva. There he demanded the loyalty of it’s detached prince, Valerius Marcon, and also Embraced his only childe yet, Titus Flaccius, who became a subject of Marcon.

Three years later he participated in the Vercovicium Gathering, the event which formed the “Heirs”, and committed himself to preserving civilization in Britannia. The task proved more difficult than he expected. Between his differences with Varro, the war against the Lupines and multiple barbarian uprisings, he simply couldn’t find the time dealing with the finer details of preserving society. Given the choice of court room politics and the saddle, he chose the latter.

In AD 450, he decided that Deva had a better strategic placement to become the center of his influence, and together with Lady Uxia, Lupus and Geraint ap Mithras, he attempted to overthrow Valerius Marcon. The coup failed, thanks to the helping efforts of Rowena, and the presence of his childe Titus, who sided with the prince. They were forced to retreat after a vicious battle. Verus was now forced to admit his weaker status beside the Triat Axis. Some years later, he convinced his allies in the “Heirs” of Uxia’s state of weakness, and declared the need for her replacement.

After the invasion of Aelle in AD 477, Verus once again took to the field of battle together with his close ally Lupus. They had together influenced the mortal Briton leader Uther, and met the Saxon warlord in several skirmishes until the Battle of Weld Forest in AD 485. Despite massive and heroic contributions from the Britons, they lost the battle and Uther was killed. He was forced to retreat back to their domains in Glevum. They had their revenge in AD 505, when Arturos, the son of Uther, defeated Aelle in the Battle of Mons Badonicus near the city of Aquae Sulis. This held back the Saxon expansion for several decades.

For the better part of the 6th century, Verus aided Lupus as his Warmaster in Glevum, fighting off raiders and probing the city of Londinium, feeling the mood of the country. In AD 577, another disaster struck. The Saxons, once again encroaching the Briton borders, launched a war against the cities of Glevum, Aquae Sulis and Corinium. In the Battle of Deorham, the Britons managed to minimize the Saxon victory, and only Corinium fell to the Saxons. Although quite successful for the Britons, it was a disaster for Verus, who lost his ally Lupus, who met Final Death by the hands of the Saxon Toreador, Eldric. After the battle, Verus assumed the position of Prince in Glevum.

In AD 616, Verus has still managed to hold off the Saxons from Glevum, although it’s growing even more difficult after the ascension of Aethelberth as Bretwalda, and his campaign to “Christianize” Britannia. He was present as an observer during the Battle of Deva, where he also conferred with his allies in the “Heirs” about the future of Britannia. He currently struggles to maintain his grip of his domain, and also seeks new allies who could be introduced into their group.